Traveling abroad or exploring areas with poor mobile coverage can become a real headache if you rely on the internet to navigate, find directions, or avoid unexpected roaming bills. Fortunately, there's a practical and simple option: use Google Maps offlineWith this feature, you can download complete maps to your phone before leaving home and ensure you can navigate, search for places, or reach your destination even without access to mobile data. Below, you'll find the most complete and up-to-date guide to making the most of this tool during your vacation or getaway.
Tired of paying extra to connect abroad? Learn how to download and manage offline maps It allows you to travel with more peace of mind, save battery and data, and get around as comfortably as if you were in your own city. Plus, preparing your maps and apps in advance is much easier than you think. Here, you'll discover everything you need to turn your smartphone into your own smart GPS without costing you a penny.
Why is it worth using Google Maps offline on vacation?
The advantages of preparing Google Maps offline There are many things to consider before your trip. The most notable are:
- You will avoid data roaming costs, especially outside the European Union or in countries without free roaming agreements.
- You can continue navigating through roads, cities or remote towns even when you run out of mobile coverage or the network is slow.
- You will save battery and data, since the map will be stored on your device.
- You won't lose key features for moving around, since you have routes and driving directions even when you are offline.
Important: Not all areas of the world allow offline map downloads due to contracts, format availability, and other reasons. It's best to download maps ahead of time.
What features does Google Maps offer offline?
Using Google Maps offline, you can enjoy:
- GPS navigation with voice prompts on car routes.
- Search for addresses, streets and points of interest included in the saved area.
- View the full map, with names and locations visible at all times.
- Check your saved sites (restaurants, hotels, museums…) as long as you have previously marked them with markers.
Of course, some functions will not be available offline, such as:
- Traffic information in real time or alternative routes depending on road conditions.
- Routes by public transport, bicycle or on foot; you only have guided navigation for the car.
- Current ratings, reviews, and photos of points of interest or businesses.
Step by Step: How to Download Maps to Google Maps for Offline Use
The process is very easy. Follow these steps on your Android or iPhone:
- Open Google Maps and make sure you are connected to the Internet (better with WiFi to avoid data consumption).
- Search for the exact city, region or area that interests you (you can type the name into the search engine or locate it by hand).
- Click on the name or address below from the screen to open the tab for that site.
- Tap “Download” or the three dots icon and then “Download offline map”.
- Adjust the area to save in the blue box (You can zoom or move the map to select exactly what you need.)
- Confirm the download and wait for it to complete.
Tip: The larger the area you select, the more space it will take up on your phone. The maximum allowed is usually 1.250 MB per map. Keep this in mind to avoid running out of memory, and repeat the process if you need multiple areas.
How to select your own map to download
- Go to Google Maps and tap on your profile picture or initial (up to the right).
- Select “Offline Maps”.
- Tap “Select your own map”.
- Choose the exact area you want by moving and enlarging the blue box.
- Click “Download”.
This way you can save only the part of the country or city you're actually going to visit.
Offline Map Management: Updating, Renaming, and Deleting
In the menu of "Offline Maps" You can see a list of all downloaded maps. Here are several key options:
- Manually update a map: Select the map and press “Update”.
- Delete maps you no longer need: Select the one you want to delete and click “Delete”.
- Rename any map: Select the map, tap “Edit” (pencil icon), and type in the new name.
- See how much space they take up the maps downloaded to the device.
Trick: Downloaded maps expire after 30 days if not updated. Google Maps attempts to renew them only if you have Wi-Fi, but you can do so manually if you prefer. If maps aren't updated after the expiration date, they'll be automatically deleted to free up space.
Tips for preparing your mobile phone before traveling without roaming
- Disable data roaming on your mobile phone If you're traveling outside the European Union or to countries without roaming agreements, do this in both your phone's settings and your carrier's app.
- Check if the destination country has free roaming with your operator or search “roaming + your operator’s name” on the Internet to check rates.
- Download maps of the areas you want to explore before leaving. It's best to do this over Wi-Fi to save data and time.
- Carry a portable charger, since using GPS consumes a lot of battery.
- Check the available space on your device before downloading the maps to avoid storage errors.
- Configure points of interest, restaurants and hotels as markers on Google Maps. These places will appear even when you're offline.
What else can you download before your trip to avoid relying on roaming charges?
- Music and podcasts in offline mode from Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or other platforms. Remember to choose the right download quality to save space.
- Series and movies on streaming apps like Netflix, Prime Video, or HBO. Be careful with video quality and content expiration dates.
- Languages in Google Translate so you can use them without coverage if you travel to a country with a different language.
Some limits and precautions to keep in mind
- Not all Google Maps features are available offline., for example, traffic information, road conditions, public transport or bicycle routes.
- You can't download offline maps in some countries or areas.Find out ahead of time.
- The area you can download is limited; very large areas or entire countries may exceed the maximum allowed size.
- Downloaded maps only last 30 days if you don't update them., to avoid outdated information on roads and points of interest.
- If there is no connection and you are outside the downloaded area, Google Maps will not be able to display routes or search for new locations.
Using Google Maps offline step by step: a quick guide for vacations
- Open Google Maps online and log in to your account.
- Find the destination, select it, and click “Download.”
- Adjust the area you really need and confirm the download.
- Access “Offline Maps” to organize, update, or delete them based on your needs and available space.
- Before you start your trip, make sure you have updated maps.
- When you arrive at your destination, turn on the “Wi-Fi only” option in the Google Maps app settings to ensure it only uses what you’ve downloaded.
- Use GPS navigation just as if you had the internet, but keep in mind the limitations we mentioned.
Do I need to enable location to use offline maps?
Yes, It is essential to have the “Location” or GPS function activated on your mobile phone.Without it, even if you have downloaded maps, you won't be able to find your location or receive directions. You can activate location tracking from your phone's quick settings or from the main settings.
Tips and tricks for traveling better prepared
- Check the maps before each trip, especially if you're visiting rural or off-the-beaten-path areas. Make sure the areas you'll be visiting are clearly included in the downloaded area.
- Organize your favorite routes and places as markers on Google Maps so they can be easily viewed offline.
- Use the Google Maps offline search engine to find nearby streets, hotels, or restaurants, as long as they are within the saved area.
- Avoid downloading very large maps If your phone is low on memory, prioritize the essential areas for your trip.
- The best maps and navigation apps can complement your experience if you need additional features.
- Avoid connecting to unknown public WiFis to download maps or sensitive data, as they may be unsafe.
Frequently asked questions about Google Maps offline while traveling
If you have the map downloaded of the area where you are, Browsing continues without interruptionsIf you leave the saved area, you'll only see the base map background and won't be able to calculate new routes.When is it useful to travel with offline maps?
This is essential if you're visiting locations with limited network access, have a limited data plan, or want to avoid international roaming charges.
What can I do if I run out of space on my phone?
You can delete downloaded maps you no longer use from “Offline Maps” to quickly free up storage space.
Are the guided tours equally accurate?
They're reliable for driving routes, but they only show you one option and don't offer traffic-related alternative routes or customizations like avoiding tolls or ferries.
Using Google Maps offline is a great help in remote areas where internet access is limited or there's no good coverage. This trick will get you out of a lot of trouble. That's why it's important to share it with other people so they know how it's done..